• Indonesia has denied visas to Israeli gymnasts for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
• The decision was influenced by objections from local clerical groups amid the Gaza conflict.
• The International Gymnastics Federation supports Indonesia's stance, while Israel plans to appeal the ban.

Indonesia has officially denied visas to Israeli gymnasts, preventing their participation in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships scheduled to be held in Jakarta from October 19 to 25. This decision aligns with Indonesia's longstanding policy of not acknowledging Israel diplomatically until there is recognition of Palestinian statehood, as stated by senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra. Following the recent escalation in Gaza, which has reportedly resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian casualties, public sentiment within Indonesia has heavily favored the pro-Palestinian stance, amplifying opposition to any form of engagement with Israel, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (FGI) confirmed the Israeli team's exclusion following discussions with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), which acknowledged Indonesia's difficulty in handling the situation. Despite the FIG's muted response, the Indonesian federation communicated that it aligns with the government on this matter. FGI Chair Ita Yuliati noted that FIG President Morinari Watanabe had been informed of the decision and provided support, as noted by The Jakarta Post.

In response, the Israel Gymnastics Federation condemned Indonesia's decision as "outrageous" and has initiated an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking an injunction to allow its athletes to compete. The Israeli federation's statement expressed concerns about the implications of this ban for the integrity of international sports, as emphasized in articles from South China Morning Post and Reuters.

Amid ongoing global perceptions of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Indonesia's ban showcases the intersection of sports and international politics, highlighting how local sentiments against Israel influence sporting events. The gymnastics championship had already been mired in controversy, as Indonesia infamously lost the hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup in 2023 following similar issues regarding Israel's participation, reported by The Jakarta Post.